Modeling of black liquor droplet phenomena in black liquor recovery boilers: The focus is on developing mathematical models to predict the complex phenomena happening in the black liquor droplet as it falls through the hot atmosphere of a black liquor recovery boiler. The droplet will experience drying, shrinking, devolatilization and swelling as it falls. It is hoped that the model can be used to predict safe operating regimes for large scale recovery boilers. Studies have been done using black liquor obtained from Indian pulp and paper mills.

Modeling of particulate processes in supercritical antisolventmicronization processes: This study focuses on the two-way mass transfer of a droplet in the precipitator of a typical supercritical antisolvent process. Due to the supercritical fluid diffusing into the droplet of solute and solvent, the solvent gets replaced and supersaturation occurs causing the solute to precipitate out.

Extraction-based studies: Some research projects given to M.Tech. and B.Tech. students deal with designing a separation process for separation of acetic acid from a pharmaceutical waste stream using amine-based solvents. Another area is extraction of active ingredients from agricultural resources (e.g. vitamin E from soyabean seeds.)

Polymer-supported photocatalysts for wastewater treatment: Here attention is focused on simple and low-cost preparation of polymer-supported titanium dioxide photocatalysts for use in wastewater treatment. Floating polystyrene based photocatalysts have been prepared and tested in the degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange dyes under UV and solar irradiation.